Effect of pressure on pressed pellets in XRS

In this study, the absorption experiments which are an application area in XRS are discussed. The effect on the absorption parameters of the pressure applied to make pellet powder samples was investigated. The mass attenuation coefficients ( μ _m ), mean free paths and half-value layers of samples prepared at different pressures were experimentally determined. C₆H₁₀O₅, VF₄, CaO and Y₂O₃ samples were pressed at 1.91, 3.82, 5.72 and 7.63 tons/cm². A variable energy x-ray source from Amersham (AMC.2084) was used in order to irradiate the samples at energies 13.39, 19.63, 24.90, 32.06, 36.39, 44.48, 51.70 and 59.54 keV. The photon intensities were measured by using an HPGe detector with a resolution of 182 eV at 5.9 keV. The theoretical radiation absorption parameters were calculated by WinXCOM program. The calculated values were compared with the experimental values. Good agreement has been observed within experimental uncertainties for low pellet pressure. The obtained results show that the radiation absorption parameters change with the amount of pressure applied to the sample.